We present you an overview of the natural and cultural attractions that Hidalgo offers, a state full of magic, flavor, tradition and history.
They were the ancient Toltecs, guided by the mythical priest Quetzalcóatl, who founded the first important city in this territory that currently occupies the state of Hidalgo; This is what the old historical chronicles say and the interesting stories that a couple of old people tell as they prepare to take a seat on a bench in the park where the famous clock of the city of Pachuca is located.
Relatively close to Mexico City, Pachuca, popularly known as "La Bella Airosa", due to the fact that during much of the year it is "swept away" by strong windy currents of up to 75 km per hour, it was founded in the year 1598, as a result of the impressive mining boom that characterized New Spain during the 16th century and part of the 17th.
In our days, the modern capital of the state of Hidalgo offers its visitors an enjoyable tour that may well begin in the old convent of San Francisco, and later, give way to a pleasant walk through its historic center. In the afternoons, and already with some hunger, the visitor of the "Bella Airosa" can taste the typical dish of the region: the famous "pastes", which, warm and filled with meat, leek and potato, according to the original recipe, they are a true delicacy for the most demanding palate.
However, the state of Hidalgo not only offers the attractions of its capital city. Close to it, just 10 km to the north, is Real del Monte, a colorful town that was an important producer of precious metals such as silver and that today has become a town that welcomes its visitors with warm friendliness of its inhabitants; We recommend visiting the old mine shots here, as well as the curious English pantheon, where its watchman, an elderly man, narrates with singular emotion the mysterious and sometimes astonishing stories of the people who now rest in this place full of magic, mystery and originality.
A short distance from Real del Monte is the famous Hacienda de San Miguel Regla; there, among trees and pines, stands the renovated construction that formerly housed the metal processing farm in the domain of Don Pedro Romero de Terreros, Count of Regla. Here, the waterfalls and the deep green of the place surround the visitor in an incredible atmosphere of peace and tranquility, ideal to take a few days of rest in your peaceful hotel, or to get to know some of the nearby attractions such as the spectacular Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla.
For its part, the northern region of the state has a true paradise for those who admire the wonderful creations of nature, because right at the foot of the mountain range that runs through it is the town of Molango, surrounded by countless green mountains.
Remarkably changing landscape and geography, the western part of the state is identified with the presence of the Mezquital Valley, where a series of towns no less interesting than those of the mining region, offer their visitors an unbeatable vision of native art that it developed during the Spanish colony in Mexico; We can thus highlight the cities of Actopan and Ixmiquilpan. In the first one, one of the greatest works of architecture of the 16th century is raised, while, for its part, in Ixmiquilpan are the famous fresco paintings that show a complex representation of how the indigenous hand captured in its colors, the trauma of spiritual conquest in Mexico.
But also, and fortunately for the visitors, the tour of these sites can be crowned with a rich dip in any of the thermal water spas that are in the surroundings; We mainly recommend those from Huichapan and Ixmiquilpan itself.
Finally, and if we talk about the sites to discover in this state, we cannot forget that in the area of the Mezquital Valley there is also the magical archaeological city of Tula, where right at the top of the so-called Temple of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, and at the foot of the huge "Atlantes", the visitor can take the traditional souvenir photograph next to the huge sculptures that, over the years, have become the proud identity of this beautiful state whose people are the worthy heir to the ancient glories of the Toltec people.
Editor of mexicodesconocido.com, specialized tourist guide and expert in Mexican culture. Love maps!
